Pre-Game Hype: USMNT vs. Jamaica
The United States find themselves facing Jamaica in the semi-final of the Gold Cup tonight. It’s win or go home for Jurgen Klinsmann and co., who will have their work cut out for them against a tough Jamaican team. Last time these two teams met in qualifying, Graham Zusi and Jozy Altidore scored the goals in a 2-0 win. Who could also forget Brad Evans’ stoppage time winner earlier in the Hex? Not us. The boys destroyed Cuba in the quarterfinal by a score of 6-0. Clint Dempsey scored his first hat-trick in a USMNT jersey with the help of AJ, Zardes, and Omar Gonzalez who also notched goals. An extremely depleted Cuban team offered little in the way of defense, midfield, or attack throughout the 90 minutes. Though a congratulations is in store for this Cuban team who fought their way into their first knockout round in team history. On to the semi-final, where Jamaican Head Coach Winfred Shafer will need a big game from all of his players if they want to have a shot at bringing the mighty U.S. down. The Reggae Boys have never gotten a result against the U.S. in the Gold Cup, and tomorrow should be no different in the eyes of captain Michael Bradley, who has had a fantastic tournament thus far. From the rumor mill….. Reports are circulating that Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique has sent numerous scouts to watch this semi-final match in hopes that his team can “one day adopt the kind of football that the USMNT have produced in this tournament.” Maybe someday, Luis. Someday. Anyway, here’s the Jamaican team: GK: Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union), Dwayne Miller (Syrianska), Ryan Thompson (Pittsburgh Riverhounds) DEF: Michael Hector (Reading), Lance Laing (FC Edmonton), Kemar Lawrence (New York Red Bulls), Adrian Mariappa (Crystal Palace), Wes Morgan (Leicester City), Alvas Powell (Portland Timbers) MID: Rodolph Austin (Unattached), Simon Dawkins (Derby County), Joel Grant (Yeovil Town), Christopher Humphrey (Preston North End), Joel McAnuff (Leyton Orien), Garath McCleary (Reading), Je-Vaughn Watson (FC Dallas) FOR: Giles Barnes (Houston Dynamo), Andre Clennon (Arnett Gardens), Darren Mattocks (Vancouver Whitecaps), Allan Ottey (Montego Bay United), Michael Seaton (Orebro) Here’s the USMNT roster: GK: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), William Yarbrough (Club Leon) DEF: Ventura Alvarado (Club America), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Tim Ream (Bolton Wanderers), Damarcus Beasley (Houston) MID: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto), Mix Diskerud (New York City), Joe Corona (Tijuana), DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City) FOR: Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes), Alan Gordon (LA) Here are your pregame festivities. Here are your local AO watch parties.
Win and we’re #in. Deep breaths. Let’s get lost in USMNT goals.
XOXO, AO
July 22, 2015